Atheists... Your life is pointless

<lag>

0 Replies

@Frank Apisa,

Quote:

Not sure what you mean here. The comment seems to stem from the fact that you see the question of “purpose” and “a god” as being necessarily related.

I mean that the way in which the question of purpose will be addressed will change depending on whether or not one assumes a deity (or deities).

If the assumption of diety(ies) is in the affirmative, purpose may depend on the attributes and personalities of said diety(ies).

If the assumption of deity(ies) is in the negative, purpose will depend on the attributes of the natural universe and the attributes of any beings which exist in said natural universe.

Christians and other specific religious traditions will (usually) have some built in answers to such questions of purpose.
This makes the question of purpose an easy challenge to level toward atheists.
It is easy to level the charge, but the question of purpose is a very important question.
I feel it is more important than the question of God, in that it directs how one will live his/her life. It is ethics.

1 Reply

@spendius,

Quote:

What you should be concerned about Spade is the fact that Setanta is ready and willing, eager even, to engage with you and he steers away from my posts with very great care

Why should I honestly be concerned about that?

Quote:

I would be. It demonstrates the simplicity of your arguments. And the ease with which they can be confronted.

Are you going to dine him first also?

Quote:

You're a heretic coming the usual line of telling them what they want to hear: namely that they can be Christians without the discipline in regard to sexual matters and needn't accept the authority of the Church. They just have to love everybody they are saved.

Sounds the exact same that you have been saying to me for almost 2 years now...I guess I do not put as much emphasis into sophistry, I see no reason to try to communicate in riddles...

What do you think Jesus would want one another to do? Embrace a building? Or put his words into actions and try to be empathetic to everyone? What good does it do for me to judge people and strictly preach words that most have heard already if the judgement is then placed upon me as well ?, and I am subject to lose my own grace?

Quote:

I have been very gentle with you. Would you like me to confront your arguments.

I'll give it a shot...A little self-righteous, arrogant don't you think?

Does this help my message at all?

1 Reply

@XXSpadeMasterXX,

Quote:

I think that that is a valid point...What would you like to discuss mate?

Thanks. I would like to discuss atheism and purpose.
However, I would be willing also to discuss any closely related topics.
Honestly, there isn't much that I am unwilling to discuss, so long as the dialogue remains civil and people are treated with respect.

1 Reply

@MattDavis,

Quote:

Quote:
Re: Frank Apisa (Post 5271545)
Quote:
Not sure what you mean here. The comment seems to stem from the fact that you see the question of “purpose” and “a god” as being necessarily related.

I mean that the way in which the question of purpose will be addressed will change depending on whether or not one assumes a deity (or deities).

I don't think it NECESSARILY does. You seem to think it OF NECESSITY must.

That is where we differ.

Quote:

If the assumption of diety(ies) is in the affirmative, purpose may depend on the attributes and personalities of said diety(ies).

Could be; might be. I am merely saying it does not necessarily have to.

Quote:

If the assumption of deity(ies) is in the negative, purpose will depend on the attributes of the natural universe and the attributes of any beings which exist in said natural universe.

Well, if you think that...then you think that. As far as I am concerned...GOD or no gods...my answer would be the same.

The title is pure and simple: An insult.

In my opinion, non-theists have as much meaning and purpose in their lives as theists.

1 Reply

@Frank Apisa,

I think that we have both established that John Creasy's intent was to insult.
Can we move past that now?

What for you is an atheistic purpose in life?

1 Reply

@MattDavis,

I will not ever disrespect you mate...I have never seen you disrespect anyone, and you have never disrespected me...

What do you think the purpose of atheism is? I think there is one as well, if not many...I do not think there is no purpose for a single thing...

But I will be honest, that I think its purposes are probably much more different than what you think these purposes are...

But I think these views change drastically for each atheist just like it does for each theist...

1 Reply

@XXSpadeMasterXX,

I think that one purpose which can be established without invoking a deity is by assuming that there is inherent value in 'self's.
'Self's seem to have the ability to suffer, and to experience eudaimonia (happiness/wellbeing).
I assume that the suffering is undesirable. I assume that eudaimonia is desirable.
'Self's share the common characteristic of being 'self's, therefore if I prefer eudaimonia in one, I should prefer it in all.

2 Replies

@MattDavis,

I forgot mate so please forgive me for asking this again...What was your personal explanation as to why you do not consider yourself a Buddhist? This is correct, correct?

1 Reply

@MattDavis,

Do you think eudaimonia is enhanced by people who have also experienced deeper sadness and pain?

1 Reply

@XXSpadeMasterXX,

Not to be evasive Spade, but mostly because that would depend on how you define Buddhist. Buddhist philosophy is a broad category.

0 Replies

@cicerone imposter,

Quote:

Do you think eudaimonia is enhanced by people who have also experienced deeper sadness and pain?

That is an excellent question!

Which gets at the distinction between "happiness" and eudaimonia.
The concept of eudaimonia traces back to classical Greek ethics.
For Socrates this was a life well-lived. It has otherwise been translated as "flourishing".
Eudaimonia was the concept alluded to in the Declaration of Independence "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"

I do think that challenge (stress) is necessary for eudaimonia.
For psychological evidence we might look at the effects of stress on humans and other animals.
Distress vs. Eustress.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustress

0 Replies

@MattDavis,

So if I think I understand you correctly, you are saying that you may consider yourself a Buddhist in some aspects? But you are saying that whether or not you consider yourself Buddhistic (per say) would depend upon my own interpretation of a Buddhist, because you do not see yourself as one (strictly adherent to Buddhism) ?

Thank you! That makes sense...What aspects of Buddhism do you think you follow, if any? And how do you view an atheistic-theology? Or a form of atheism that has a more open interpretation than just hardcore skepticism? Such as Humanists, Or Atheistic Nihilists? Would you agree with these interpretations? Or how would you explain them? Do you think it is beneficial to follow one of these forms? Or a drawback? And how come?

I did not see any evasion at all..In fact, the way you explained it got me to see a rational side I had not previously noticed... Wink

Thank you!

1 Reply

@MattDavis,

Quote:

Re: Frank Apisa (Post 5271586)
I think that we have both established that John Creasy's intent was to insult.
Can we move past that now?

What for you is an atheistic purpose in life?

An atheistic purpose of life is whatever each individual atheist intends it to be. You oughta ask one of them. I am not an atheist.

2 Replies

@XXSpadeMasterXX,

I don't think accepting the label of Buddhist would be fair to the tradition.
It is also in my opinion a little deceptive to do so. It is a distinction without a difference. There are not "Buddhists" there are those who are on similar paths to what is assumed by some to be the path that "Buddha" taught.
Mythologies within mythologies. The label is not helpful to anyone involved.
I do have a problem with the teaching of zen without an ethical foundation.

1 Reply

@Frank Apisa,

OK Frank.
If one stumbles across this thread I will ask them.

What I asked you was not "What do you, as an atheist, think is a purpose in life?"
I was asking what would an atheistic purpose be?

atheistic purpose = (a purpose not involving a deity).

1 Reply

@MattDavis,

There are several already here.

1 Reply

@Frank Apisa,

Quote:

An atheistic purpose of life is whatever each individual atheist intends it to be. You oughta ask one of them. I am not an atheist.

I think that this is a very accurate statement from the outside looking in...That is why I have a hard time in understanding exactly how it is not the same as following a theism/theology...in ways different than just a study of God(s)...

I think there is one common association in atheism, and then it is totally self dependent just like theism's are...

1 Reply

@Frank Apisa,

Then I hope that they chime in Very Happy

0 Replies

@MattDavis,

Do you consider yourself a believer of theology(ies) ? Just without any labels or associations? Or how would you self describe your view of atheism? How would you self explain you position of atheism is to study Gods or theologies...but using rejections or skepticism? And not faith of some sort?

If this is correct, I am still trying to figure out how to properly articulate what I am trying to get at...but we are getting closer...

1 Reply

Atheists... Your life is pointless

Related Topics

Quick Links

My Account

able2know